The new school Carlin How opened in 1907, the ceremony was performed by Colonel Legard; Chairman of the North Riding Education Committee. The builder was J. G. Porteus of Guisborough. Bill Kitching tells us: ”I attended Carlin How School when I was three years (Friday afternoons for one hour) then Baby Class at age of five years in 1927. I passed the eleven plus examination in 1933 to go to Guisborough Grammar School. The Headteacher was Miss Keen, Baby Class teacher was Miss Richardson, Class 2 was Miss Birtwhistle, Class 3 was Miss Hall, Class 3A was Miss Stanlake and Class 4 (top class!) was Miss Thompson. Wonderful teachers!”
Whilst Derick Pearson tells us: ”I left the same year as Bob but I too remember another teacher who may have left a year or two before. Her name was Miss Keen; who Bill said was there in 1933. But I did not think she was Head Mistress, I’m certain Lena? Thompson was. Did Miss Keen step down? Somethings at the back of my mind about her going to Africa perhaps. Can anyone remember? Miss Keens class was same side and up the Hall from Miss Thompsons, Miss Potters was opposite side and Miss Garners was in the main hall too. Miss Tweddle who came much later was along the corridor in the Annex if I remember correctly. Did she take Miss Keens place perhaps?”
Bill Kitching added: “I wonder if there were two Miss Keens? My Miss Keen was Head Teacher in the 1930s. Miss Lena Thompson was from Loftus, where her father was a builder. She played badminton in the Club Hall at Carlin How and her boyfriend used to come to the school on a motorbike and sidecar.”
Bob Doe tells us: ”Miss Thompson was still Headmistress when I left in 1957. Other teachers then were Miss Garne r(Class 3), Miss Potter (Class 1) and Miss Tweddle (Class 2) I do also remember the classroom set up as Derick described.”
Ian Wilson tells us: ”According to the school logbook Miss Keen took over as Temporary Headteacher on January 6th 1914. Her appointment was confirmed on February 1st. She left on 31st October 1935. During the First World War Miss Keen made many references in the logbook to Zeppelin air raids . On the 6th of April 1916 she recorded: ‘About 2:30am there was an air raid in which the school was badly damaged by a high explosive bomb. The two front cloak rooms and the headteacher’s room were almost demolished and other serious damage done which rendered the school unfit for occupation” It remained closed until May 10th 1916.’
Alan Pearson adds to our knowledge with: ”Miss Thompson retired in 1963, succeeded as Head by Frank Whithers. Miss Potter was still there when I left in 1965.”
Image courtesy of Pat Bennison, with thanks to Bill Kitching, Bob Doe, Derick Pearson, Alan Pearson and especially Ian Wilson for the fascinating updates.
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